Millions celebrate Diwali as northern India air pollution concerns persist

Millions of people are celebrating Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, by illuminating homes, temples, offices and streets with oil lamps and colourful lights. The festival symbolises the triumph of light over darkness. It falls on the darkest night of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, when the moon is not visible in the sky.

Traditions vary across India's regions and communities. The festival is widely marked by prayers, family gatherings, the exchange of sweets and the lighting of firecrackers.

The celebrations come amid growing concerns over air pollution, particularly in northern India. Seasonal weather conditions and the burning of crop residue contribute to deteriorating air quality. Firecrackers set off during Diwali can make the situation worse.

In an interview with BBC News, content creator Piyushi Ajwani said Diwali is her favourite time of year because of its social gatherings and the chance to reflect on culture and traditions with family. She described regional meanings, including the return of Lord Rama after a 14-year exile in north India and the celebration of the goddess Kali in the east. She said some of her friends who are away from their hometowns for Diwali are making conscious choices, such as using LED lamps instead of oil or ghee lamps and not bursting firecrackers. She also said social media has raised awareness about clean air and clean water and the impact of choices such as whether to burst crackers.

The later BBC News bulletin showed celebrations in Karachi and reported that plenty of people were out in the streets marking the occasion.